Cerebral oxygenation is stable in preterm infants transitioning to heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula therapy

Abstract

Aim: To assess cerebral oxygenation in premature infants who are transitioning from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) to heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC).

Methods: A prospective observational study done in a single-centre neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Regional cerebral oxygen saturations (RcSO₂ ) were measured using frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (FD-NIRS) in very low birthweight (VLBW) premature infants born at <32 weeks transitioning from nCPAP to HFNC.

Results: Median gestational age was 27 weeks and median birthweight was 924 g. Recordings were performed at a median gestational age of 30 weeks and a median postnatal age of 10 days. Median weight at study entry was 1111 g. Cerebral oxygenation was not significantly different in infants transitioning from nCPAP to HFNC (66% vs 66%).

Conclusion: No difference in cerebral oxygenation in premature infants transitioning from nCPAP to HFNC was observed. This finding is reassuring and further supports the use of HFNC in preterm infants.

Keywords: cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation; near-infrared spectroscopy; neonatal intensive care; non-invasive ventilation; premature infants.